Moments with MarLo

As some of you may know my husband, Michael, has stepped into a new adventure.   He is pursuing a dream to work on Harley Davidson motorcycles.   This dream has temporarily relocated him a 1,000 miles from home for the next 15 months as he attends school.   I couldn’t be more excited for him!  And more aware of how much I love and miss him. In a phone conversation the other day, I asked Michael if he thought this separation might be good for our marriage.  Although neither of us likes being apart, we are optimistic considering the timeless saying, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.”  And so we walk. In the two short weeks he has been away, I have had overwhelming moments of a deep sense of being alone.  Surprised at expectations for him to walk into a room followed by reality, his rooms are in another place now.  I never knew I had so many comforting thoughts when he was home.  His truck in the driveway, his tv on, hearin...

If you are a mom, in any season of motherhood, and would like a day filled with laughter, encouragement, and refreshing, then I would greatly recommend you sign up for one of the 2012 Hearts at Home Conferences!  Hurry! The  BEST VALUE REGISTRATION Deadline  for the March 16-17 National Conference in Normal, IL, is  February 15  (that’s next Wednesday)!  Click here to learn more and join me for the 2012 Hearts at Home conferences!

In 40 days, my husband, Michael, will be moving a thousand miles away to follow after a dream placed in his heart.  I am so very excited for him and this opportunity while I am already beginning to imagine what the next 15 months might look like without his daily presence.  Those thoughts fill my mind and heart with sadness. Sometimes life is hard.  Very hard.  And in those hard places all I can do is trust.  Psalm 17:7 says "But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God.” (MSG) Sticking with God for His long-term plan fills my heart and mind with hope.  I can see beyond the 15 months to a place He has for us.  To a restored family even more blessed for having been apart.  And I believe. I believe that God is in full control of every need and longing.  Every place our hearts will feel sorrow and our minds will feel alone.  For in those moments I will rest on the promises of Him walking with...

We talk often about the faith of Abraham in the story of how he was willing to sacrifice his precious son, Isaac. I cannot imagine God asking me to sacrifice my child or the faith required to follow through on such a request.  I pray I never have to find out. But there's a part of the story I've never heard discussed but have often pondered.  What does the story look like from Isaac's perspective.  Isaac walked silently up the mountain.  He understood a sacrifice was to be made and when looking around he asks his father where was the sheep?  Abraham simply replies that God will provide and they keep walking.  But then Isaac finds himself bound and laid upon the altar in place of the lamb.   The story doesn’t share what Isaac thought of the situation.   Was he scared or angered at his father.    Did he cry out or beg for mercy?  Or was he, as is implied in the story, simply silent and trustin...

I remember as a child getting excited about Christmas. Dreaming about the possibility of gifts I might receive. Today, I decided to take advantage of some free time and wrap up Lydia's gifts.  I was not prepared for her response upon the site of them.  I knew she would squeal with delight. I expected the requests to open "just one."  What surprised me, however, was how her eyes filled with tears as she placed each of her gifts beneath the tree.  Almost breathlessly she responded, "oh, I don't know why I'm crying."  It caused me to think about the gift of Christ.  The gifts He continues to pour into my life.  Have I, with child-like abandon, responded with pure delight at the simple fact that I have received a gift from the heart of Christ?   May we all take note of this simple response from this precious child.  It wasn't the number of gifts or the potential of what each package contained, rather the understanding that she is loved. ...

One of the things I have struggled with lately is my attitude at work. Some of my grumbling stems from the work itself but more so how I sense a lack of respect for who I am by those assigning me the tasks.    I have been asking God to help me with my heart condition.  I know I am to do the work as Christ did, as a servant with a glad heart, a s if "unto Christ ." I have tried to respond in gratefulness while inside I wrestled with my seething pride. Then, just this morning my good friend, Melissa Milbourn  sent me the following scriptures. Psalm 37:6-7 “He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.” (MSG) Luke 14:11 "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (NLT) 1 Peter 5:6 “So be content with who you a...

A sanctuary is a place of refuge, a nature reserve, a holy place 1 .  Lately I have sought sanctuary.  I have found a portion of it in a little park near where I work.  However, the sanctuary I seek is not found in a place.  Rather, it is my wholehearted desire to meet with Jesus.  I seek Him in the park, I seek Him when I rise in the morning, as I go through my day, and as I lie down at night. It’s not only a place of refuge but one of relationship. How my soul responds to these words: “Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God.” 1 John 4:13 (Message) I am seeking a continual relationship with Jesus, the One who knows me better than anyone else. Have you walked with Him lately?  Have you sought His intimate relationship?  Go now for He is waiting for you. _______________ 1 Dictionary.com